Trump Shifts Florida Campaign as Alaska Senate Race Faces Probe

The final stretch of the 2026 US midterm campaign is bringing fresh political controversies, competing election strategies and growing scrutiny of ballot procedures. President Donald Trump is heading to Florida for a campaign rally, while an investigation in Alaska examines allegations involving Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola and another candidate sharing her Republican opponent's name.

Election Day falls on Tuesday, November 3, leaving candidates across the country four days to persuade voters. The latest CBS News polling indicates that Democrats have an advantage in the House, while several closely contested Senate races could determine control of the chamber.

According to CBS News, Maine, Ohio and Texas are among the states facing particularly competitive Senate contests. More than 44 million Americans had already voted early as of Thursday afternoon, according to the University of Florida Election Lab.

Trump plans to visit Daytona Beach, Florida, on Friday as Republican candidates face competitive races for federal and state offices. The president canceled planned appearances in Kansas on Saturday and Iowa on Sunday. The Republican National Committee attributed the changes to the party being in a strong position in those states.

Instead of the canceled appearances, Trump plans to conduct telephone rallies across 19 states. During his recent campaign appearances, he has encouraged supporters to participate in the midterms by saying, "pretend that I'm on the ballot."

His Florida appearance comes as Republican Senator Ashley Moody faces Democratic challenger Angie Nixon. Republican Representative Byron Donalds is also competing for the governorship against Democrat David Jolly, while several congressional races remain closely watched.

The most significant election controversy involves Alaska, where Republican Senator Dan Sullivan faces Democrat Mary Peltola. Questions emerged after Daniel J. Sullivan, a retired teacher from Petersburg, appeared on the Senate ballot with a name closely resembling that of the incumbent senator.

The New York Times reported that Democratic operatives connected to Peltola's campaign helped recruit the alternative candidate. The report also described efforts involving other potential candidates that could have affected the incumbent's electoral support. Peltola's campaign and national Democratic officials have denied involvement.

Speaking at a rally in Juneau on Thursday, Peltola rejected allegations that she participated in an effort to confuse voters.

"I just want to clear the air. I knew nothing about any other candidates on the ballot except for me and the incumbent. That is all I have ever known about.

I am not interested in tricking voters. I know I can beat Dan Sullivan," Peltola told supporters.

The controversy has triggered investigations at both state and federal levels. The US Justice Department has issued additional subpoenas as part of a criminal investigation, according to CBS News. The Trump administration is also pursuing legal action to prevent certification of the election if Sullivan loses because of alleged voter confusion.

Alaska Republican Governor Mike Dunleavy ordered a state investigation on Wednesday. He indicated that its findings could have consequences for the eventual Senate outcome.

"May, in fact, impact whether somebody is seated in the U.S. Senate," Dunleavy said Thursday.

A spokesperson for Peltola's campaign criticized the governor's intervention, describing his remarks as an attempt to undermine the election's outcome. The spokesperson maintained that Peltola would not be intimidated by political opponents or their allies.

Meanwhile, CBS News visited Petersburg in southeastern Alaska to locate Daniel J. Sullivan. The retired teacher lives in the remote fishing community, which is accessible only by air or sea. He was not at home when journalists visited.

His friend and former colleague, Mary Ellen Anderson, questioned whether the candidate had independently initiated the controversy.

"I wouldn't be surprised if this was actually, some campaign person may have come up with this idea," Anderson said. "Whether Dan bought into it or not, I don't know. I don't think"

Election administration is also drawing attention in Pennsylvania, where Philadelphia officials have outlined the procedures for handling ballots. Unlike most states, Pennsylvania does not permit election workers to begin processing mail-in ballots before Election Day.

At Philadelphia Election Headquarters, returned ballots are sorted by ward and division before being secured in locked storage areas. Beginning at 7 a.m. on November 3, workers will open envelopes using specialized machines, manually remove ballots, flatten them and scan them for counting.